UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez grimaces as she snatches a rebound with both hands. Oklahoma State’s Praise Egharevba jumps behind her while the a full UCLA crowd is blurred in the background.
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) beats Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Praise Egharevba (24) to a rebound in the second half at Pauley Pavilion on Mar 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One of the first matchups in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament features two teams that already have some familiarity with each other. The UCLA Bruins and the Minnesota Gophers have met twice in the past two seasons during Big Ten Conference play. UCLA won both of those meetings, both by double-digits.

UCLA’s versatility powers tournament run

Coming into the Sweet 16, the UCLA Bruins feel like they’re better equipped for March Madness as opposed to last season. Some of that feeling comes from the belief that Bruins are more versatile and can hurt opponents in different ways.


Scores are only part of the story

Subscribe today to get The IX Sports’ in-depth coverage of women’s sports.

  • Full access to all coverage across women’s sports
  • Exclusive sport-specific Insider newsletters
  • Context and follow-through beyond the headline

Monthly

$12

Annually

$1210


Title IX Club

Subscribe today to get The IX Sports’ in-depth coverage of women’s sports, and add some extra support to help us keep building.

  • Full access to all coverage across women’s sports
  • Exclusive sport-specific Insider newsletters
  • Context and follow-through beyond the headline
  • Become a true investor in the future of women’s sports media

$197.20

Monthly

$19.72

Annually

$197.20


David has been with The IX Basketball team since the High Post Hoops days when he joined the staff in 2018. He is based in Los Angeles and covers the LA Sparks, Pac-12 Conference, Big West Conference and...